In March of 1942, the 10 Waggoner sisters were removed from their home by a Coles County judge. As the sisters began to cling to each other on the courthouse steps, they realized that it would be the last time their family would ever be together. The girls were literally pulled apart and driven to different homes after a court proceeding made them wards of the state.
Within one year, five of the sisters; Phyllis, Pauline, Irma, Mary and Rhita were reunited at Cunningham Children’s Home. Life for the five girls at Cunningham was regimented but secure.
“It was the first time I had my own toothbrush and comb and brush and an indoor toilet,” recalled Irma, who was 10 when she arrived at the Home.
Ultimately, all five sisters adjusted well to their new life in the then-orphanage and grew to appreciate its stability.
Today, and throughout our 130-year history, there is a unique story behind every child’s arrival to Cunningham. The same can be said for individuals who come to Cunningham for a career. Elise Porter, one of our valuable Teacher Assistants (TA) in our Gerber Education Program, has a heartwarming tie to the 10 Waggoner sisters.
“I heard about Cunningham back in 2004 when I married my husband,” Elise said. “His five aunties lived at Cunningham in the early 1940s.”
Elise said she loved the family connection to Cunningham, applied to work here, and never left.
“I’ll be starting my 20th year of service this September,” she said with pride.
Elise’s mother-in-law, Doris, the youngest of the sisters, didn’t live at Cunningham (she was adopted by a Charleston family in July of 1942), but later published “Ten Sisters: A True Story.” The book, written by Doris and her nine sisters, details their lives.
Echoing Irma’s story, Elise said the sisters never had their own bed and shared all their clothes. She also added, “While living at Cunningham, the girls were educated and taught how to make their bed and have good manners. After the sisters grew up, they continued to support the children at Cunningham for the rest of their lives.”
We are grateful Elise is doing the same thing! In her role as a TA, Elise works one-on-one with our residential youth, providing personalized attention and care to help each child academically thrive. Her close connection with our youth fosters an environment where individual needs are met, and our youth begin to flourish in the classroom. She also picks up extra hours during the summer, working overnights in our Residential Treatment Center. She truly has a heart for Cunningham youth.
“I came to Cunningham thinking this was going to be a temp job,” Elise said, “but now I ask myself, “Why would I leave when I’m home?”
And home is where the heart is.